Volvo B10BLE facts for kids
The Volvo B10BLE was a special kind of bus chassis built by the famous Swedish company Volvo. It was produced for about ten years, from 1992 to 2002. This bus model was very important because it helped make public transport easier for everyone, especially people using wheelchairs or parents with strollers.
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What is a Bus Chassis?
Imagine a car without its body – just the engine, wheels, and frame. That's kind of what a bus chassis is! The Volvo B10BLE was not a complete bus when it left the Volvo factory. Instead, it was a strong base, or "chassis," that other companies would then build the bus body on top of. This allowed different bus companies around the world to design their own unique bus shapes and styles, while still using Volvo's reliable engine and frame.
Why Was the B10BLE Special?
The "BLE" part of its name stands for "Bus Low Entry." This means the bus had a very low floor at the front and middle sections. This design made it much easier for passengers to get on and off, especially for people with mobility challenges, older adults, or parents with young children in strollers. Before low-entry buses, people often had to climb several steps to board. The B10BLE helped make public transport more accessible for everyone.
Power and Performance
The B10BLE was known for being a strong and dependable bus. It usually had a powerful 9.6-liter engine, which is much bigger than a car engine! This allowed it to carry many passengers and travel long distances smoothly. Some versions of the B10BLE could even run on CNG, which is a cleaner fuel than traditional diesel.
Where Was the Volvo B10BLE Used?
Because it was so versatile and reliable, the Volvo B10BLE was used in many different countries around the world. You could find these buses in cities across Europe, Asia, and Australia. Each country or bus company might have had a slightly different body built on the same Volvo chassis, making them look unique while still being the same trusted model underneath.
Examples Around the World
- Australia: In cities like Sydney, bus companies like Sydney Buses used the B10BLE with bodies built by companies like Ansair.
- Singapore: SBS Transit in Singapore also operated B10BLE buses, some of which were powered by CNG and had bodies made by Volgren.
- United Kingdom: In the UK, companies such as First Hampshire & Dorset used the B10BLE, often with bodies built by Wrightbus, like the "Wright Renown" model.
The Volvo B10BLE played an important role in making public transportation more comfortable and accessible for millions of people during its time.
Images for kids
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Sydney Buses Ansair bodied B10BLE
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SBS Transit Volgren bodied CNG powered B10BLE at the old Boon Lay Bus Interchange in Singapore in May 2006
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First Hampshire & Dorset Wright Renown bodied B10BLE in Southampton in May 2009
